Changing Skies

Honey Spark knocked at the door to Skyset’s room patiently. She couldn’t help herself. She wanted to know exactly why Skyset was so afraid. Was it her? If it was, was there anything she could do? “Skyset?”

The pegasus finally opened the door, a weak look on her face. “Yes…?” She questioned, more nervously than anything else.

Despite the appearance Skyset might be trying to keep up, putting on an act couldn’t hide one’s feelings from a changeling. Honey could feel every ounce of fear the mare had in spades. “I… just wanted to talk… you’re… afraid of me… but, I don’t really know why… and…” Honey trailed off before taking a deep breath. “I just want to understand.”

“Ah… new… ponies… scare me.” Skyset said, though it didn’t sound convincing.

“I guess I could understand that… I’m a bit… shy myself, admittedly.” Honey said weakly, playing with a bit of her mane. “It’s… hard for me to speak up sometimes about certain things… I’ve actually been thinking about how to approach you for probably an hour as silly as that sounds… but… you seem more afraid than just than like… o-okay… so… what do you know about changelings?”

At this, Skyset blinked. “Is… that a type of unicorn?” She asked.

Honey seemed surprised at this. “Well… we’re descended from unicorns, in a way…” she admitted. “We’re empaths. Changelings can naturally sense the emotions of other ponies… when I look at you, I feel your fear… it’s… not exactly something I can just ‘turn off’, it’s just… a fact of life for me. I just… I’m so sorry I cause you to feel that way…” she admitted. Despite knowing it wasn’t her fault, that she had done nothing to this mare, it didn’t help the slight feeling of guilt over it. This pegasus was afraid of her, even if she hadn’t done anything. Those feelings were caused by her mere presence.

“Uh…. okay…?” Skyset seemed more confused now than ever before, though the fear was definitely still lingering.

“...my kind are… we need love to survive. It keeps us strong… without it we… wither and die like flowers without water… Hate directed at us is like a poison.” Honey explained. “N-not that I think you hate me or would mean to do anything like that… just… how other ponies tend to feel towards us is kind of um… important to us for that reason… that and I… know what it’s like to be scared of others… I don’t want ponies to be scared of me…”

The further and further the explanation went, Skyset found more and more of her fear replaced with sympathy. “Uh…. right. Look I uh… thanks for checking on me and everything, but uh… It’s… okay. It’s just something I gotta get over. It’s getting better, if it helps. But I think for now, I just kinda… need some alone time. Today and yesterday have been a lot to process. I’m thinking I might just lay down for a bit longer.”

“R-right… uh… sorry…” Honey said sheepishly. “I just… personal baggage, nevermind… you um… might wanna stay up through… the others will be back any moment now and I’ve heard somepony wants to interview you.”

Skyset really didn’t want to talk to anypony else, but knew it was likely inevitable. She let out a sigh. “Fine…” she said. “I’ll be here.”

Morning Star could hardly believe how big the place was. It felt like a miniature palace unto itself! She was paid well for what she did, but she doubted she could afford anything quite like this. “Your home is wonderful, Fire Dancer.” she complimented the white unicorn.

“Blame my dad.” Fire Dancer said with a shrug. “I personally would have gotten something smaller, but since it was an inheritance… I wasn’t going to keep it after he died, but then we all just kind of… started using the place as a hub… now it’s a bit more warranted.” he said with a small frown.

Morning contemplated that for a moment before smiling. “Well, it certainly seems you’ve made good use of it! You wouldn’t believe how many of these there are in Canterlot that are filled to the brim with guest rooms that sit totally empty all year round, only a couple ponies living in the place!”

Fire chuckled. “Yeah. No need to waste the space.”

The pink unicorn maid that had been leading ahead of them turned to look back. “This is the room we got her to after she like… uh… had her little fainting spell.”

“How bad was it?” Crimson asked.

“Well it was certainly a shock.” the maid replied, before knocking on the door to the room.

Skyset answered relatively quickly, not saying anything, just staring at who was in the forefront, waiting to hear what this was about.

The unicorn in the cloak stepped closer. “Hello there, Miss Skyset. I’m Morning Star, from Eclipse. I’d just like to ask you a few questions and give you a bit of a once over, is that alright?”

Skyset wasn’t keen on answering questions right now. Despite her reservations however, no one had treated her unfairly. “Okay… If we have to...” she said with a sigh.

“Well it is kinda procedure. So… yeah, I must.” Morning Star admitted with a chuckle. “So… why don’t we start with the beginning… you first encountered an artifact that sent you here from another time period, is that right? Tell me, what did you feel when this happened?”

“Scared, lost, talking to a ghost…” Skyset droned.

Morning Star’s ears perked. “I’m sorry, did you say ghost? Do you believe the artifact made this ghost appear? What did it say or do..?” she asked patiently. That could be cause for concern depending on the mare’s response, though she didn’t show her concern, instead keeping her calm and cheery demeanor.

“Well yeah.” Skyset said. “When I woke up, it was in some ruins in the forest. There was a ghost there that led me to Ponyville.” she recalled.

“...to Ponyville, hm…” Morning Star noted.

“I believe she may be talking about Shadow Sentry.” Honey offered. “He’s a friendly spirit who wanders the forest and guides lost ponies out.”

“That’s him.” Skyset confirmed. “I couldn’t remember his name at first.”

“Hmm, I will have to check back with records at HQ on that later, but I do think I recall hearing rumors of a helpful specter in the Everfree… did you come into direct contact with the thief who stole the artifact from Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle by any chance?” Morning Star asked patiently.

“No.” Skyset replied, ears folded down. “I didn’t see them.”

“Would you say you’ve experienced any… unexplainable mood swings, unusual thoughts or desires?” Morning Star asked next.

“No… well… there is something unusual for me, but I’m not sure if it’s… anything really.” Skyset said after a few moments.

“Please do share, anything and everything could be important.” Morning Star encouraged gently.

“Just having… I guess second guessing myself on some long-time beliefs.” Skyset said. “Not sure if that’s really something serious or not.”

“What sorts of beliefs? And could you explain why?” Morning Star asked.

“I… not really sure I want to talk about it…” Skyset said reluctantly. “It’s… I dunno.”

“Trust me when I say I’ve heard and seen all sorts of strange things… there probably isn’t much of anything you could tell me that would be all that shocking. I’m not here to judge what you believe in, only to ensure you’re safe and healthy.” Morning Star reassured.

“Do I have to?” Skyset said, ears folded back. “It’s embarrassing…” If she were honest with herself, she didn’t understand being embarrassed about it, but in this moment, she definitely was. These ponies from Equestria’s past were rubbing off on her too much, she thought, though she questioned herself on how much of a bad thing it was.

“I think my superiors might skin me if I don’t get everything right.” she said with a smile that suggested she was exaggerating. “Please?”

“Fine…” Skyset sighed. “I’m second guessing my opinions on other ponies. There.”

“Opinions on other ponies… romantic feelings, or..?” Morning Star questioned, genuinely not sure what the pegasus meant.

“No, nothing like that…” Skyset said, shaking her head. “Where I come from, it’s normal to… uh… hate… anything that isn’t a pegasus.”

“Ah. So a sort of belief of racial superiority, perhaps. What’s got you questioning those beliefs, Miss Skyset?” Morning Star asked calmly, as if Skyset hadn’t just admitted to racism.

“Just…” Skyset said, looking off into the distance. “I dunno. Everything I was ever taught… isn’t really happening here? Kinda the opposite.”

Morning Star smiled. “Well, that doesn’t sound like any nasty magic playing with your mind, so that’s good! Just good old fashioned life experience.” she said with a giggle. “I don’t know what things are like in your culture or time… but maybe what you’ve learned here in the past can help steer things in a happier direction, hm?”

“I doubt it’d ever fly there, but…” Skyset sighed again. “I dunno.”

“Last thing I need to do is a few quick little analytical spells, shouldn’t take too long… do you have any unusual magical traits I should be aware of?” Morning Star questioned.

“I don’t have any magic.” Skyset deadpanned. “That’s not a thing where I’m from.”

Morning Star’s horn illuminated with a green aura and a matching aura surrounded Skyset. “Hmm… well that’s not entirely accurate. Oh goodness me, these readings are something I’d expect from a four year old filly, not a grown mare… it would seem your wing nodes are inhibited by some sort of… hmm, it’s like a locking mechanism, that’s rather fascinating… very intentionally designed… there’s even a few traps in there…” she said, licking her lips. “You’ve never flown, have you?”

“Uh… no.” Skyset said, almost wistfully. “Only the queen and her foals can fly. We… cannot.”

“...a terrible injustice, if that’s some manner of control asserted by your government… I can’t break this without risking harming you or myself. It’s too deep and too powerful. Still, it doesn’t seem to be any kind of dark magic at least.” Morning Star said, letting her horn fade out. The aura around Skyset went with it. “To do such a thing to a pegasus… that’s beyond cruel… you have my deepest condolences…”

“I’m pretty sure the government isn’t behind it.” Skyset said. “We’re pretty… well… I was… pretty sure unicorns might have had something to do with it. I don’t know how the queen would even do such a thing, but I’m not so convinced it was unicorns now.”

“Whoever it was must’ve really known their stuff.” Morning Star said with a frown. “I hope one day you find a way to be free of it…”

A small chirp emanated from the device in Morning Star’s left ear. She reached up and rested a hoof on it. “I’m just wrapping up with Miss Skyset… yes she’s in the clear. I… of course. No, I… yes, I understand… understood. Crystal, ma’am.”

“Everything okay…?” Silver Dreams asked, speaking up for the first time in a while.

“Oh, everything’s fine! I’m just dismissed for the week and forbidden from operating in any official capacity beyond sending in my report here… Which I just… Kinda did.” Morning Star answered.

Skyset seemed alarmed at this. “I didn’t… get you in trouble, did I?” she asked.

Morning Star held up a foreleg to show the stitches Crimson had done earlier. “Oh no… I’m just injured is all. Eclipse requires its agents to be in tippy top shape, so I’m on a strict ‘stay out of work and get better’ leave, effective now.” she explained.

“Wow. Sounds kinda sucky.” Skyset said. “Hope your rent’s paid.”

“I get paid for that time off anyhow… I actually get paid an extra ten percent of my normal salary for it, since I got injured on the job. Eclipse takes good care of its ponies.” Morning Star said with a giggle. “I might use that time to go catch a movie or something.”

“That’s a pretty fancy vacation policy… wonder how many ponies take advantage of that.” Silver pondered.

“Paper cuts don’t count, and any intentional self harm in an attempt can result in immediate termination, and possibly a fine, depending on the case.” Morning Star cautioned. “Ponies have tried. It usually doesn’t work out in their favor.”

“I’d imagine not.” Crimson said. “Don’t play with the government, they always watching.” he said with a smirk.

“Doesn’t help when you may be required to submit to having your memories of events examined on a regular basis. You’re going to remember if you got hurt on accident or on purpose and your higher ups will find out.” Morning Star explained.

“See, that’s where this is getting hard for me.” Skyset said suddenly. “On some points, it sounds like this time is all happy and stuff, then somepony says something like that and it sounds frightening again.”

“...you’re concerned about ponies being able to see your memories, I’m guessing?” Morning Star asked. “I can understand. Memories can be a very personal and sacred thing. Eclipse agents do not have the luxury of complete privacy. To become one means abiding by that. I’m obligated to allow any work-related memories be examined without question. If it helps reassure you any, in most cases you cannot be forced to allow others to access your memories in most cases. Even Eclipse doesn’t necessarily have the right to force memories out of somepony, though the alternative in some cases may be permanent detainment. That’s unfortunate, but it is a choice given to most. There are a lot of regulations regarding what we are and are not allowed to do in that.”

“Maybe it’d help if you explained why you’re required to do that?” Silver offered.

“...Eclipse agents often work with dark and forbidden magic. We come across all sorts of things that could potentially corrupt us with that dark influence. Being able to examine our memories directly makes deception very difficult. I cannot, for example, hide an artifact and say I didn’t find it. My lie is easily discovered. Additionally sometimes our memories can provide useful information when paired with an outside perspective. Maybe I saw something I didn’t think was of note, but an investigator spies it in my memory and knows that it is.” Morning Star explained. “It is for security purposes, both for my own and for others… much like the ring on my horn. It allows my superiors to cut off my access to my horn at any point. If I’m ever possessed by a corrupting influence, abuse of my magic can be prevented. I also know a variety of forbidden spells. You tend to pick up and learn a lot of information about dark magic and how the spells are constructed… I can be prevented from putting any of that knowledge into practice myself. You can’t become an Eclipse Agent to learn about and abuse that forbidden knowledge.” she explained. She seemed to consider something for a moment. “In essence, the ring on my horn is like the safety on a weapon. Access to my memories is like a logbook of sorts. Civilians aren’t required to be so heavily restricted, but when I became an agent I agreed to the terms that came with it. I was not forced into this, I chose it.”

“Wow, that was… a lot to listen to.” Skyset sighed. “But like… I guess it makes sense. Still… magic’s not a thing where I’m from, and to hear it can do all that… I’m not sure whether to be reassured or more terrified.”

“Magic can be wonderful… or it can be terrible. The events that transpired today are a shining example of that. Civilians were hurt and homes were destroyed… but there were ponies with good in their hearts there to oppose that danger. Magic is neither good, nor evil. It’s how it used that makes it one thing or the other.” Morning Star added.

“Right…” Skyset said, but didn’t sound too sure of herself.

“Don’t worry.” Crimson said. “I think what’s important for you is that nothing’s happening to you or against you. And that won’t happen unless you are okay with it.”

Skyset nodded. “I… Yeah.”

“I suppose I’ll get out of your manes for the evening… take care of yourself, Skyset… and to you all as well, 77.” she said with a nod as she made her way for the door. “Maybe I should have a drink myself, it’s certainly been a while…”

Starlight Glimmer made her way into the grand hall of Eclipse Headquarters. It was decorated in a way that made it feel almost like a palace in and of itself. Marble columns on either side of a dark purple carpet in the entrance, leading up to a large desk up two stairs. A few ponies at the desk, seemingly lost in their work.

Being here in this place made her a little anxious. The subtle warmth of alcohol in her veins kept the edge off her nerves as she made her way up to the desk.

“I was told High Mage Moon Shadow wanted to see me?” Starlight asked.

The bat pony mare at the desk glanced up at her. “You’re in luck, she just got freed up. Head right through that door over there, Miss Glimmer. You’ll want to head straight on through.”

Starlight nodded before heading for the door. The door itself was a thick dark oak with a brass handle. The engravings looked ornate and finely crafted. Aannnnd she was stalling.

“Appleloosan Whiskey, by the way?” the bat pony mare called.

“H-huh?” Starlight asked, looking back.

“I can smell it on your breath. Good taste.” she said with a chuckle. “You can go through the door, really, I promise it doesn’t bite.”

Starlight took a deep breath and made her way through. A unicorn in a familiar cloak greeted her with a quick scan the moment she stepped through.

“Proceed.” was all the cloaked unicorn stallion said, as he pointed a hoof further down the hall.

Starlight hummed awkwardly to herself as she continued through the corridor. There were doors on either side, marked with little more than plaques with numbers for most of them. A few occasionally had cutie marks and names, implying they might be somepony’s office. For some reason she’d always imagined the inside of this place to be a lot more chaotic. It was grand, and clearly ancient. Everything about it radiated power, authority, and status… yet it was mundane. It was a hall full of offices.

She came to a larger set of double doors and two more cloaked ponies to either side of it pushed it open for her to reveal a much larger room. The floor tiles were a shiny black and in the center of the room they formed Eclipse’s oh so distinct symbol in grayscale.

A lone blue unicorn with a lilac mane and gold crescent ear rings stood in the middle of the room, her piercing golden eyes tracking Starlight with every step she took.

Starlight felt her heart pounding in her chest. Anything could be about to happen… Morning Star had said job offer… was it one? What if she refused? The clip-clop, clip-clop of her hooves against the tile suddenly felt like the loudest sound in the world to her.

The door closed.

“Good evening, Starlight Glimmer. Nice of you to accept my invitation.” The blue unicorn said with a smile. “You seem tense, hun… afraid something’s about to happen to ya?”

“I… uh… m-maybe a little.” Starlight admitted sheepishly. She struggled to resist the urge to start rambling as she often did when she was nervous. She felt like she was walking to the gallows.

“You pee a mess on my floor hun and I’ll have them get you a mop.” the blue unicorn chuckled.

“Th-that won’t be necessary. N-no puddles from me.” Starlight said with a weak smile. She tensed up as the blue unicorn approached.

“I am High Mage Moon Shadow, but I’m sure you’re well aware of that…” Moon Shadow explained. She circled Starlight like a shark might circle a helpless foal in the ocean. “Look at you… don’t you just scream power. Your special talent is magic, I suppose it’s to be expected.”

“I-I… thank you Miss uh… I mean High Mage Moon Shadow.” Starlight said shakily.

“Maybe you should’ve had an extra drink before you came over here, you’re shakin’ like a leaf. You ain’t here to be punished, Starlight Glimmer. You’re here because of your performance today.”

“My performance where I blatantly disregarded the law and-”

“And saved many lives.” Moon Shadow interrupted. “Putting others before yourself is the very essence of what it means to work for this establishment here, sugar. You’d make a good agent with the proper training. I could make an agent out of you that’d scare the horseshoes off even the foulest of dark magic users.”

“O-on one hoof, I’m honored, but on the other you did just kinda call me terrifying.” Starlight said, her ears folding back. She felt some of the strength returning to her legs.

“You are terrifying. One of the most powerful mages of our time. It’s fortunate you’re on the right side of things now… what do you think? You’d look good in our robes.” Moon Shadow suggested.

“W-well it would fit pretty nicely with my coat…” Starlight said with a laugh. “B-but I… I don’t…” she trailed off. She took a deep breath to steel her nerves. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for this kind of thing… I don’t like the idea of all the… restrictions and… I don’t know, maybe some secrets I’m better off not knowing.”

“You fear the ring.” Moon Shadow stated simply.

Starlight winced. “I… my magic is everything to me, I don’t like the idea of anypony just being able to… t-take it away at a moment’s notice.”

“You understand well why these rings are important.” Moon Shadow said, tapping the ring at the base of her own horn. “I’m in charge and even I have to wear one… they’re not a bad thing.”

“I know that… but… I just… I can’t shake that feeling. I’m sorry… plus… if I’d done as I was told… if your ponies had the power to shut down my magic today, things…. They would’ve turned out very differently.” Starlight pointed out.

“Questioning Eclipse’s judgement…” Moon Shadow tsked. “From scared little filly trembling like a leaf in my presence to questioning us the next… that’s a bit better, there’s your spine!”

Starlight was taken aback. “I’m… you sound like you’re complimenting me.”

“I am. That’s a lot of progress for just a couple of minutes. Working for Eclipse means working as a group… that does mean one pony’s poor judgement can make things go south for an entire squad. Trust and reliance are very important in our ranks. The most important. You are correct, things would have been worse today had you obeyed Morning Star’s commands. I am grateful you did not.” Moon Shadow said with a sigh.

“Then… wouldn’t I be better off staying on my own?” Starlight asked carefully.

“You’re still not authorized to do those things. Unless you get some kind of license or special exemption from the law, Starlight Glimmer… doing things like that still puts you on our radar. I can’t just make special exceptions for you because you’re Princess Twilight’s roommate. What I am offering you is a chance to use those skills of yours legally… and I’ll admit, having a ring on your horn would make a lot of ponies feel a little bit safer knowing you’re out there, and this is a not so thinly veiled attempt at getting you to agree to that.” Moon Shadow said casually.

“Well, that’s a bit shameless.” Starlight deadpanned. “Good to know there’s ponies who want me ‘under control’ so badly.”

“There are, and I won’t sugarcoat that for you. The world’s full of uncomfortable truths, and if you accepted this job you’d be exposed to many of them. An uncomfortable truth is that many Equestrian politicians don’t think you should have the freedom you do. They want you on a leash. They don’t get what they want. You’re still free, and that’s an uncomfortable truth they’ll be forced to live with.” Moon Shadow explained. “You’d be treated well, with dignity and respect, like any other member here.”

Starlight stared into the golden eyes of the other unicorn. Moon Shadow was slightly taller than her and that made her presence all the more intimidating, but Starlight had found her resolve. “What do you think of me. You keep telling me what other ponies think. How they think I should be handled.” she said as if spitting something bitter out of her mouth.

Moon Shadow raised an eyebrow. “I think you’re brilliant. You’re gutsy. You’re… awkward, a lot more than I’d admittedly expected. Honestly, I thought you’d come in here like ya owned the place or something. You did not. But you’re powerful… and you’re talented… and I personally would want a pony like you working here. Maybe even to succeed me. You’re exactly the kind of pony I’d want for that. You think outside the box. You’ve got a track record of being two steps ahead. Qualities of somepony fit for the job.”

“...and you think that because you think that and not because some politician wants you to do something?” Starlight questioned.

“My thoughts are my own. I ain’t interested in dirty money. I ain’t got time for all of that nonsense with them, I’ve got plenty enough on my plate as it is.” Moon Shadow replied.

“Not the most… compelling or flattering job offer.” Starlight said flatly. “Maybe a little flattering, but also kind of threatening sounding.”

“Your free to accept, or walk out that door… just watch the illegal spells… though I’ll tell you what… situations like today? I’ll overlook them. Sweep them under the rug and give you a pass.” Moon Shadow suggested with a sly tone. “I can’t punish you for saving lives. Ain’t my style. Maybe the pony who came before me would’ve… actually, scratch that, she would have… But I won’t. You just keep being the pony Princess Twilight Sparkle sees in you.”

“I am getting majorly mixed signals here…” Starlight muttered. “First you’re telling me you won’t give me exceptions now…”

“It’s called a test, sugar. I wanted to see how you’d react. You stood your ground today and even under pressure you stood by what you felt was right, right here, right now. I admire that in a pony. You’ve got a strong will.” Moon Shadow replied. “Nice taste in whiskey by the way. I’ll leave the offer on the table. You come here and ask whenever you’re good and ready and it’s a done deal.” Moon Shadow said as she turned towards another set of double doors opposite of the ones Starlight had entered from.

“...that’s it then? What now?” Starlight asked as the other unicorn continued to walk away.

Moon Shadow looked back. “Now? Now I go back to my office, take care of some paperwork, and get the hay outta here for tonight. I’ve got a date with the spa and my pillow for some Zs. Have a goodnight, Starlight.”

Starlight blinked as she stood there, alone as the door on the other side of the room closed. Thoughts of how drastically different her life was now compared to when she was younger briefly danced through her mind. “...every new chapter gets weirder than the last.” she muttered before she turned to leave. She was getting a hotel for the night and heading back to Ponyville in the morning. She’d had enough adventure for one day.